How to Prune Flowering Almond

Flowering almond shrubs have bountiful white to pink blooms in early spring. The plants reach up to 5 feet high with a width of about 3 to 4 feet. Dwarf flowering almond (Prunus glandulosa), also known as Chinese plum and Korean cherry, grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9. Flowering almonds require light yearly pruning to maintain the natural shape and develop a full appearance. Pruning flowering almond shrubs is best completed immediately after blooms fade in the spring. This encourages growth and promotes abundant flowering the following year.

1

Clean pruning and lopping shears by dipping them in a solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water. Rinse the shears and dry thoroughly. Use lopping shears for branches over ¾ inch in diameter and pruning shears for smaller branches.

2

Remove all damaged, dead, diseased and insect-infested branches from the shrub anytime they appear. Cut branches at the base that cross another or hang low to the ground.

3

Thin out approximately a third of the oldest, tallest branches by cutting them off at ground level. Cut any suckers growing at the base of the flowering almond to ground level. Thinning older wood and removing suckers allows the shrub to put more energy into new growth and flowering.

4

Head leggy leader branches that have not developed any lateral branching. Prune away about a third of the top growth, maintaining the rounded shape of the shrub. Make all trimming cuts at a 45-degree angle about a quarter inch above a bud. Slant the cut away from the bud. Trimming the leaders and top growth encourages a bushier, fuller growing habit.

Things You Will Need

Bleach

Lopping shears

Pruning shears

Tips

A severely damaged flowering almond can be pruned all the way to the ground in the spring. It will recover, but won't flower for two years.

Warnings

Prunus species are highly susceptible to disease and insects. Check the flowering almond regularly for signs of problems.

About the Author

Kit Arbuckle is a freelance writer specializing in topics such as health, alternative medicine, beauty, senior care, pets and landscaping. She has training in landscaping and a certification in medicinal herbs from a botanical sanctuary.